PANAMA CITY, FL : 3 injured, 1 critically, in Hathaway Bridge wreck on Friday, 2nd September 2016
An 18-year-old is in critical condition and two other drivers injured after violent three-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon on the Hathaway Bridge. The wreck blocked traffic in both directions, leaving hundreds of drivers at a standstill for hours while investigators documented the scene.
The crash occurred about 2:40 p.m. at the eastern foot of the Hathaway Bridge and involved a blue Toyota Tacoma, a Dodge pickup truck and a Florida Rock & Tank Lines 18-wheeler.
The Panama City Police Department reported Claudia Gref, 18, of Port St. Joe, was driving eastward on U.S. 98 in the Tacoma when she veered into the path of the westbound Dodge truck, driven by 58-year-old Rickey Kerr, of Lynn Haven.
After the initial impact between the two trucks, Kerr’s Dodge then was struck in the side by the 18-wheeler, which was driven by 65-year-old William White Jr., also of Lynn Haven.
Gref sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The other two men were also taken to the hospital for less severe injuries.
The wreck snarled westbound traffic on U.S. 98 past Beck Avenue, and motorists trying to cross the bridge eastbound into Panama City were blocked beyond the Thomas Drive flyover.
The bridge was completely closed immediately after the crash, but law officers later opened one lane in each direction, with traffic maneuvering through Port Panama City and the No Name Lounge’s parking lot. All westbound lanes were reopened shortly after 5:15 p.m. The eastbound lanes were reopened at 5:30 p.m.
Jessica Parker was taking photographs nearby when she heard the initial crash. As she turned, Parker saw what appeared to be the fallout from the initial crash and the 18-wheeler crashing into the Dodge truck, she said.
“It didn’t seem like he knew he hit anything, because he kept driving for a while after,” Parker said.
The Tacoma eventually came to a stop in the median of the highway while the Dodge drove off the eastbound side of U.S. 98. The 18-wheeler continued for more than 100 feet, she said.
She said emergency crews arrived, pulled Gref from the Tacoma and began resuscitation attempts.
“They did compressions for a while, but she wasn’t moving,” Parker said.
Officers used the Jaws of Life to remove Kerr from the Dodge truck.
PCPD reported alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash. It remains under investigation.
Source :
3 injured, 1 critically, in Hathaway Bridge wreck